1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A190 Elegance 1.9 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good car for 10,000ukp, a bad car for 20,000ukp

Faults:

Rusty wheel nuts.

Leaking door seals.

ECU fault.

Driver's window failed.

Vibration at most speeds.

Rattles on the dashboard.

New tyres at 10k.

General Comments:

Cost 20465 in January. Offered 12500 in September.

Poor dealer service.

Loads of space for a small car, very safe, very hard ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th December, 2000

17th May 2001, 17:08

What do you expect paying 14,000 for a merc, you should have bought a vw group car or saved up a bit for a 30k merc.

6th Jun 2001, 12:18

I did not pay £14000 for this car, it cost me £20500 and I sold it after one year for £12000. My other car is a £33000 SLK and it will be my last Mercedes.

10th Aug 2001, 11:12

I bought a brand new A140 Avantgarde last September 2000. I sold it in December with only 1400 miles on the clock. After various visits to the dealer to cure a multitude of rattles I could stand it no more. It is the poorest built and hardest riding car I have ever owned. It is a wonderful looking car, but that is all. I have now bought a Seat Leon which cost over £4000 less and is built to the same high standards as an Audi.

24th Jan 2002, 13:25

Bought it three years ago, worst built car ever.

Bought for £16,000, worth 6000 now and the dashboard rattles when going round corners.

Poor acceleration, no leg room in the rear, go for A Honda HRV instead of this piece of scrap metal.

1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A140 Classic 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An expensive, time consuming, stressfull hobby!

Faults:

Constant clicking noise on the clutch pedal.

Knocking noise in the steering column when you shake the steering wheel and as you are parking/turning the car.

These parts have been looked at and replaced more than twice by the garage.

General Comments:

The attitude of the garage was oblique. The problems which I have experenced have now become 'normal characteristics' of the car - after 8 time consuming months of replacing parts and heartache.

Both the garage and Mercedes have lost a potentially loyal customer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th July, 2000

30th Mar 2005, 13:11

Can anyone tell me what the squeaking noise is in my A140 Mercedes when I turn the steering column?

9th Jun 2005, 08:25

Don't tell me they have not fixed this problem yet...!

In reply to 30th Mar 2005, 13:11

4th Aug 2011, 19:30

Steering squeaking noise is probably the plastics rubbing or the universal joint needing some grease.

Clunking noise is usually the spline shaft in need of some grease too.